About West Lodge Park
West Lodge Park Hotel is a beautiful country house hotel set in 35 acres of grounds on the edge of North London. It has been owned and run by three generations of the Beale family since 1945 and now has 59 bedrooms, the Mary Beale Restaurant and Terrace Bar, eight stunning banqueting rooms, and plentiful free parking.
The hotel sits in the magnificent Beale Arboretum, with over 800 species of trees from around the world, two national collections of hornbeams and swamp cypresses, and plentiful paths for those looking to explore.
For guests interested in art, the hotel boasts the Edward Beale collection of old master paintings dating back to the time of Charles II. Most of these pieces were painted by family ancestor, Mary Beale – Britain’s first professional female artist.
Guests can enjoy guided tours or a relaxed stroll, immersing themselves in nature and history.
About the Beale Arboretum at West Lodge Park
The Beale Arboretum, an integral part of West Lodge Park, traces its origins back to 1963 when Edward Beale, with the help of Frank Knight, Director of RHS Wisley, and Derek Honour, Trees Consultant for the GLC, embarked on a journey. Over the past five decades, the Beale family, spanning three generations, has passionately nurtured and expanded this stunning area.
Today, the Beale Arboretum stands as a testament to their dedication, housing the Plant Heritage National collections of Hornbeams (Carpinus betulus cv), Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum), and Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa). With more than 50 years of meticulous curation, the collection has grown to include 15 UK and regional champions as recognised by the Tree Register. In total, the arboretum boasts over 800 species of trees from around the world, with a remarkable total of over 4,500 trees.
Nestled within 35 acres surrounding the hotel, this landscape forms a vital part of the Enfield Chase. It offers a respite from the bustling city, providing a sanctuary of open spaces and captivating views all within the M25.
The arboretum, in addition to its National collections, showcases an extensive variety of tree species, such as Pinus, Picea, Abies, Cedrus, Quercus, Nyssa, Corylus, Juglans, Sorbus, Cornus, Cretaegus, Fraxinus, Magnolia, Gleditsia, Robinia, Acer, Sequoia, Liquidambar, Tilia, Arbutus, Araucaria, Cupressus, Davidia, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo, Malus, Paulownia, Populus, and Taxus.
The Beale Arboretum proudly hosts Tree Register Champion trees, including international champions Fraxinus excelsior ‘Westhof’s Glory’, Paulownia tomentosa ‘Fast Blue’, and X Cuprocyparis leylandii ‘Castlewellan Gold’ (Tree Register number 335).
Every year, the arboretum sees addition of over 50 specimen trees. This continual growth ensures the arboretum remains a living collection.
Recognised for its beauty and botanical significance, the arboretum has garnered attention from prestigious publications like The Times, The Sunday Express, Country Life, Gardener’s World, The New York Times, The Radio Times, and The Royal Horticultural Society Journal.
To fully appreciate the splendor of the Beale Arboretum, we recommend planning your visit during the vibrant spring (May and early June) or the autumn (October) when the colours and foliage are at their most captivating.
The dedicated team behind the Beale Arboretum, led by experts including Paul Akers (Tree Consultant to Westminster City Council), Paul Baynes (Head Gardener), Dominic Beale (Gardener), and Andrew Beale (Managing Director), works tirelessly to ensure the continued growth and preservation of the arboretum.
